“Water is worth more than gold!” was the chief battle of protesters in aJune 2 march against the Pascua Lama mining project and the companyresponsible, Canadian-based transnational Barrick Gold. The march hasbecome an annual event for Region III's Vallenar (the closest main town toPascua Lama) since news of the project reached the community over threeyears ago.

The Pascua Lama gold mine, located in the Andes straddling theChilean-Argentine border, has prompted strong local, national andinternational criticism. Opponents fear the project will destroy theancient glaciers under which the gold deposits are located. The glaciersrepresent important fresh water reserves. Critics are also concerned themine could contaminate the nearby Estrecho River with cyanide and mercury.The Estrecho is currently the only remaining uncontaminated river innorthern Chile. Some 70,000 farmers rely on it for their livelihoods (VTMay 2).

The Chilean government approved the project last year on the grounds thatthe glaciers wouldn’t be damaged. The mine is now in the initial stages ofimplementation, and partial destruction of three glaciers on the site hasalready been reported by environmental watchdog the Latin AmericanObservatory of Environmental Conflicts (OLCA) (ST Apr. 12). Keyarchaeological sites relating to the Diaguita indigenous group have alsoalready been destroyed by mining activity.

Three years on, the Vallenar community seemed well used to putting up afight. “No a Pascua Lama” signs peered out of windows, anti-Barrickstencils branded the streets and visiting bands of noisy, oddly-dressedurban hippies didn't draw the same stares as in other small Chilean towns.Some protest banners and puppets looked extremely well worn - a model ofthe mayor lost its arm during the march - and chants sounded extremelywell-rehearsed. “We don't want to be a North American colony,” was one ofthe more popular cries.

The 2,000-strong march arrived at the town square in the early afternoon,where Diaguitas in colorful costumes welcomed protesters with an energetictraditional dance. Speakers from the wide range of groups involved thenhad their chance to “sound off” against Barrick and Pascua Lama.

Environmentalist groups from as far away as Santiago and Valparaíso spokeof the symbolic importance of stopping the mine. “If this one goes ahead,it will open the door for many more foreign-owned projects that don't takeChile's environment and welfare into account,” said Valpo spokespersonFrancisco Marín, who also commented on the necessity of changing theChilean Constitution to prevent such projects being attempted in future.

A Vallenar poet spoke of the project as just one more event in a“500-year-long project of exploitation of Latin America.”Local farmers showed a slightly different attitude, “I don't care aboutany of that. I'm just worried about my job,” said one.

Religious groups also had a strong presence. Local station Radio Profeta(Prophet Radio) broadcasted the event live to the entire province, andpriest Juan Barraza made a passionate speech. “People have said this is aDavid and Goliath battle. But I say, who won in the end?” he said.

Speaker Mario Mautz talked of the hope still remaining in a lawsuitagainst Barrick, regarding unlawful land acquisition for the Pascua Lamaproject. The corporation bought 8,600 hectares of land from illiteratefarmer Rodolfo Villar for 10,000 pesos (US$19). Villar believed he was tobe paid 10 million pesos (US$19,000) for the property. If the sale isdeemed illegal, the loss of this key stretch of territory will makeimplementation of the project very difficult for Barrick.

The march ended peacefully, with a classic Chilean communal picnic lunchof “porotos con rienda” (beans with pumpkin and spaghetti) in the townsquare.